Conference Overview - Facades Design & Engineering – UAE Summit

                                           Peter Boardman addressing the conference attendees

Last week Dunbar and Boardman attended the Facades Design and Engineering Summit in Dubai. It was a great opportunity to meet with many of the Vertical Transportation industry’s key individuals from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.  There were over 200 attendees representing 80 companies at the event. For over 30 years Dunbar and Boardman has attended similar events around the world.

The conference started with a Façade Lighting Focus Day. Themes covered included, ‘Lighting up your projects to drive aesthetics and building functionality’ and ‘Next generation lighting technologies and opportunities for façade design’. Detailed approaches and methodologies were shared during the project case studies.  

The focus of the second day was the UAE Facade landscape.  Particular emphasis was placed on innovations, building codes and beyond. Understanding the new building regulations and how to ensure your project conforms to compliance requirements.  There were great discussions around the advancements in efficiency, sustainability, and cost effectiveness.  It is often easier to absorb key details via project case studies these were a key feature of all three days at the conference.

On the final day our attention was turned to the Western architectural influence on Arabic Design and the need for attention to detail in Facades. Once again some great insights were shared during the project case studies that included a spotlight on UAE universities.

On behalf of all staff at Dunbar and Boardman I would like to say a big thank you to the organisers, IQPC & all the event sponsors, we look forward to seeing you all again next September.

Dunbar and Boardman is the lift, escalator and access equipment consultancy. Do you have a current or planned project incorporating Façade access? We would be happy to discuss any such requirements and how we may be able to assist. Give us a call on T +44 (0) 20 7739 5093 or send us an email via peterboardman@dunbarboardman.com to start the conversation. We look forward to hearing from you.

Spotlight on Dubai

 

Dunbar & Boardman’s first project in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was in the late 1990s. This was the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and we quickly built on that, increasing the number of projects we worked on not only in the UAE but also across the Gulf Region. Since the 1990s we have completed Vertical Transportation and Building Maintenance Unit projects in the UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait. Many of our projects have been for internationally prestigious buildings.

Here are just two examples of prestigious buildings we have worked on and a brief project description:

The iconic Burj al Arab Dubai - The brief for Dunbar and Boardman was to assist with planning the space accommodation for the 18 elevators and 2 escalators. Our role included specification writing and contractor evaluation and the firm remained involved with the project from conception stage through to final commissioning.

The Bahrain World Trade Centre – Dunbar and Boardman were appointed to witness test and commission the work - Secalt fully powered BMU systems were specified by Atkins and these were to be installed in both towers. Following completion, we were awarded the contract to manage the site maintenance work.

Listed below are some more of the projects we have completed in the UAE and Gulf Region:

Jumeirah Beach Complex Dubai

Four Seasons Dubai

Damac Ocean Heights

Damac Signature Tower

Saraya Towers Abudhabi

Al Mafraq Hospital Abu Dhabi

Gate District Towers Abu Dhabi

King Abdullah Financial District, Riyadh

Al Madah Towers, Jeddah

Four Seasons Hotel, Bahrain

National Bank of Kuwait

Kuwait Investment Authority HQ  

The full list of our projects in the region can be found here. Do you have a current or planned project in the UAE or other country in the Gulf Region? We would be happy to discuss any such requirements and how we may be able to assist. 

We are attending the ‘Façades and Design Engineering - UAE Summit’ this week so this is a great opportunity for you to meet with us face to face if you are also attending the summit in Dubai. Give us a call on T +44 (0) 20 7739 5093 or send us an email via peterboardman@dunbarboardman.com to start the conversation. We look forward to hearing from you.

Why use a consultancy for Façade Access and Building Maintenance Units?

 

Creating Façade Access systems and deploying the correct Building Maintenance Units (BMU) or Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) is specialised work that requires both project management experience and a detailed knowledge of the technology and technological advances in the industry. The requirements of each building will be different and very often are complex. This complexity is one of the reasons that companies around the world choose to work with a specialist consultancy for Façade Access & BMUs. The other major reasons are listed below.

Planning

The development of a Façade Access solution is a long term process and the building maintenance strategy will be ongoing over the life of the building. It is essential that a maintenance strategy is considered and incorporated into the initial building design and implemented during the construction phases. The maintenance programme and longevity of the equipment must be considered. A consultancy will be able to achieve all of this and enable the facility management team to use the maintenance equipment for a minimum of 25 years.

Efficiency

When creating a schedule of Façade Access and selecting the most suitable solution a key objective will be the need to optimise the usage of the access equipment, as well as the operability of the Façade Cleaning Equipment (FCE).  By choosing a consultancy to manage the process a company reduces the risk of making a poor choice, in addition the consultancy will carry professional indemnity insurance to give further peace of mind.

Bespoke Solutions

If a developer or client were to approach a manufacturer directly there is a real chance that they would be guided into the purchase of one of the manufacturer’s existing product solutions. An evaluation based on the commercial interests of the manufacturer would be undertaken; rather than the comprehensive and unfettered approach taken by a specialist consultancy. Using a consultancy ensures that the best solution will be sought and found.

Independence

A consultancy can set up and manage a formal tender process with 3 or 4 bidders and invite them to submit a tender for the project.  Following post tender evaluation the most appropriate solution and supplier can be chosen. The final decision and award of the contract will be based completely on merit.

Commercial Negotiations

Consultancies are aware of industry norms and charging rates and therefore have a stronger hand when it comes to negotiating commercial contracts. Using a consultancy could save you money in the short and long term. Naturally the possibility and scope of any saving can only be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Industry & Legislative Standards

A consultancy will be able to create façade-cleaning solutions that minimize the impact on building design and meet the highest safety according to EN standards. Furthermore they will be able to ensure that the equipment is provided within International Quality & Safety Standards and that health & safety requirements for the particular environment are met.

Dunbar and Boardman is a specialist consultancy that has provided global clients with bespoke solutions for façade access equipment and BMUs for over 30 years.

Do you have a current or planned project that would benefit from our expertise? We would be happy to discuss with you. Give us a call on T +44 (0) 20 7739 5093 or send us an email via peterboardman@dunbarboardman.com to start the conversation. We look forward to hearing from you.